Interior Department awards $6.19M contract for tribal accounting support to Chickasaw Business Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,188,193 ($6.2M)

Contractor: Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-02-11

End Date: 2026-08-10

Contract Duration: 911 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTATION SEARCH ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S HISTORICAL ACCOUNTING OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REFORM ACT AND ONGOING TRIBAL ACCOUNTING AND TRIBAL LITIGATION EFFORTS.

Place of Performance

Location: LENEXA, JOHNSON County, KANSAS, 66219

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $6.2 million to CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTATION SEARCH ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S HISTORICAL ACCOUNTING OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REFORM ACT AND ONGOING TRIBAL ACCOUNTING AND TRIBAL LITIGATION EFFORTS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical tribal accounting and litigation support, aligning with federal reform obligations. 2. Sole-source award to Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC, raises questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 3. Performance period extends over two years, indicating a need for sustained support in complex accounting matters. 4. The contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, a broad category. 5. Geographic focus on Kansas suggests localized support for specific tribal accounting needs. 6. The 'not available for competition' status warrants scrutiny regarding justification for sole-source procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.19 million for administrative management and general management consulting services over approximately two years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized support. However, without comparable sole-source contracts for similar tribal accounting and litigation support, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, necessitates careful monitoring to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns. Benchmarking against similar government-wide contracts for consulting services could provide further insight into the fairness of the rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The justification for this approach is not detailed in the provided data, but it typically implies that only one vendor was deemed capable of meeting the requirement. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or secure the most competitive pricing through a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. It also bypasses opportunities to engage a wider range of qualified small businesses.

Public Impact

Tribal governments and entities will benefit from improved accounting and litigation support, aiding in financial management and legal processes. The services delivered will enhance the federal government's ability to meet its historical accounting obligations under the Reform Act. The contract's geographic focus on Kansas indicates support for tribal operations within that state. Workforce implications are likely to involve specialized accounting and legal support professionals employed by Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially reduces value for taxpayer dollars.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement raises concerns about fairness and due diligence.
The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical federal obligations related to tribal accounting and litigation, addressing a specific government need.
Award to Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC, may support a business with ties to the tribal community, potentially aligning with socio-economic goals.
The defined performance period suggests a structured approach to delivering the required services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of advisory and assistance services. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, particularly for specialized areas like financial management, regulatory compliance, and program support. Comparable spending in this sector is substantial, but the unique nature of tribal accounting and litigation support makes direct benchmarking difficult. The market for such specialized consulting is often characterized by a mix of large firms and niche providers.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a sole-source award, it also bypasses the typical subcontracting opportunities that arise from competitive procurements. This means that small businesses, including those owned by Native Americans or other disadvantaged groups, may not have direct opportunities to participate in this specific contract, unless they are part of Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC's supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the definitive contract, including performance milestones and deliverables. Transparency could be enhanced by making the justification for the sole-source award publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Indian Law
Tribal Self-Governance Act
Native American Programs
Government Auditing Services
Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition justification
Potential for cost overruns in labor-hour contracts
Limited transparency on contractor performance history

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $6.2 million to CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC. THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTATION SEARCH ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S HISTORICAL ACCOUNTING OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REFORM ACT AND ONGOING TRIBAL ACCOUNTING AND TRIBAL LITIGATION EFFORTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-11. End: 2026-08-10.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not detailed. Typically, sole-source awards are justified under circumstances such as only one responsible source being available, or an urgent and compelling need that would be compromised by a competitive process. For this contract, it's possible that Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC possesses unique expertise, proprietary data, or a pre-existing relationship with the Department of the Interior related to tribal accounting and litigation that makes them the only viable option. A formal Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) would normally be required and would provide the detailed rationale. Without this document, the precise reasons remain speculative, but it implies a belief by the contracting agency that competition would not yield a better outcome or could not be practically achieved.

How does the contract's value of $6.19 million compare to similar government contracts for tribal accounting and litigation support?

Direct comparison of the $6.19 million contract value for tribal accounting and litigation support is challenging due to the specialized nature of the services and the sole-source award. General management and administrative consulting services contracts can range widely in value. However, for contracts requiring deep expertise in federal Indian law, tribal financial regulations, and historical accounting obligations, values can be substantial. Without access to a database of similar sole-source or competitively awarded contracts specifically for tribal accounting and litigation support, it's difficult to benchmark. The duration of the contract (approximately two years) suggests that the annual value is around $3 million, which is not inherently excessive for specialized professional services, but the lack of competition prevents a definitive value-for-money assessment against market alternatives.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for these critical services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for taxpayer money. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price, and the government may not benefit from innovative solutions or a broader pool of expertise that a competitive bidding process could uncover. Another risk is the potential for vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on a single provider. Furthermore, if the justification for the sole-source award is weak or not properly documented, it can raise concerns about fairness, transparency, and potential impropriety. In this specific case, if Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC does not perform adequately, the government's options for recourse or finding an alternative provider quickly are limited due to the lack of prior competition.

What is the track record of Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC in performing similar government contracts is not provided in the data. To assess their capabilities and past performance, one would typically look at contract تاريخ (history), past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), and any prior awards for similar services. As a sole-source awardee, the agency presumably has confidence in their ability to perform. However, without public access to their performance history on federal contracts, it is difficult to independently verify their suitability and reliability for this critical task. Further investigation into federal procurement databases and agency records would be necessary to ascertain their track record.

How does this contract align with the Department of the Interior's broader mission regarding tribal affairs and financial accountability?

This contract directly aligns with the Department of the Interior's (DOI) mission to serve Native American tribes and Alaska Natives. The DOI is responsible for managing millions of acres of land held in trust by the United States for tribes and individuals, and plays a crucial role in overseeing tribal finances and ensuring accountability. The requirement for 'PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTATION SEARCH ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S HISTORICAL ACCOUNTING OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REFORM ACT AND ONGOING TRIBAL ACCOUNTING AND TRIBAL LITIGATION EFFORTS' directly addresses these responsibilities. By providing support for historical accounting and litigation, the contract helps the DOI fulfill its trust responsibilities, ensure compliance with federal laws like the Reform Act, and support tribes in managing their financial resources and legal matters effectively.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140D0424R0007

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2600 JOHN SAXON BLVD, NORMAN, OK, 73071

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,448,936

Exercised Options: $8,027,651

Current Obligation: $6,188,193

Actual Outlays: $4,814,623

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline